Died
24th May 1904
Sources
Durham Mining Museum
Sheffield Daily Telegraph
Wikipedia
Cumbria BMD
Ancestry
Place
Walks
John James Kellet
Died in a Derbyshire Pit explosion
IN
LOVING MEMORY
OF
JOHN JAMES,
SON OF AGNES AND JOHN KELLET,
WHO DIED MAY 24TH 1904
AT MANSFIELD HOSPITAL, THROUGH
AN EXPLOSION AT SHIREBROOK COLLIERY,
AGED 30 YEARS.
“THY WILL BE DONE, O LORD”
JOHN KELLET,
DIED OCT. 23RD 1917,
AGED 68 YEARS
WILLIAM THOMAS KELLET
DIED JUNE 25TH 1925,
AGED 47 YEARS
AGNES KELLET,
DIED MARCH 21ST 1927, AGED 74 YEARS.
The Entry on the Durham Mining Museum site reads:
The two deceased and another man were repairing a roadway and were using locked safety-lamps only as light, when an explosion of fire-damp occurred. Mitchell died on 22nd May and Kellet died on 24th May. The other man was injured (Top hard coal).
The accident had happened on 16 May. John Kellet was a dataller, i.e. a worker paid by the day. Read More
Shirebrook Colliery was sunk 1896/7 on land owned by the Duke of Devonshire. It survived until April 1993. (Wikipedia). Shirebrook today (2024) has no pit, and is best known for Mike Ashley’s “Sports Direct” warehouse.
The Sheffield Daily Telegraph 26 May 1904 gives a little more detail:
THE SHIREBROOK PIT EXPLOSION
DEATH OF A SECOND MINER
In connection with the singular accident which occurred at the Shirebrook Colliery on the 16th inst., John James Kellet, collier, died in the Mansfield Accident Hospital, on Tuesday, and Mr. E. Williams (deputy district coroner) opened the inquest at the Town Hall, Mansfield, yesterday afternoon. He explained to the jury that on the 16th inst., three men, including the deceased, were repairing a road in the pit when a fall of roof occurred, and broke one of the lamps, with the result that the naked light ignited the gas released, and all three men were badly burnt. One of the victims died some days ago, and the inquiry in regard to his death had opened at Shirebrook by Dr. Green, and adjourned until June 20th. As the same facts would have to guide both juries he thought it would be advisable to adjourn the present proceedings until, after the other inquest. Evidence of identification was given by John Kellet, farmer, High Barn, Ulverston, father of the deceased, and Dr. Oldham spoke to seeing the man at the Mansfield Hospital on the day he was injured. He was badly burned on the arms, neck face and hands. Death was due to syncope following shock, the result of burns. – The inquiry was at this stage adjourned until June 28th.
From Ancestry we learn:
1881 Census
In the 1881 Census the Kellets are living at xxxxwell Farm, High Rosshead (above Ulverston). Head of the household is John Kellett (sic) (30) Iron Miner, born Lindal in Cartmel, (now Lindale) Lancashire, wife Agnes Kellett (28), born xxxx Lancashire; John James Kellett (7) Scholar, born Osmotherley, Lancashire; William Thomas Kellett (2) born Rosshead; Esther Eleanor Kellett (1) born Rosshead.
1891 Census
The 1891 Census is more legible. The family is now living at 4 Rosshead, Ulverston, and consists of John Kellett (sic) (40) Top Iron Miner, born Lindale in Cartmel, Lancs; Agnes Kellett (38) born Kirkby Ireleth, Lancs; John J. Kellett (17) Iron Miner, born Osmotherley, Lancs; William T. Kellett (12) no occupation recorded, born Rosshead; Mary Agnes Kellett (8) Scholar, born Rosshead; and Robert H. Kellett (3?) Scholar, born Rosshead.
1901 Census
In the 1901 Census John James Kellett (sic) (27) is a Coal Miner, born Ulverton (sic), Lancs, lodging in Warren Terrace, Pleasley, Derbyshire, in the home of Walter and Emma Wardle. With him is another Ulverston miner, Samuel Nott (24).
The National Probate Register (Index of Wills and Administrations) 1904 has:
KELLETT John James of High-barn Pennington near Ulverston Lancashire miner died 24 May 1904 at the hospital Mansfield Nottinghamshire Administration Lancaster 11 July to John Kellett farmer Effects £306 4s 4d.
The research is made a little confusing by the presence of another John James Kellett in Ulverston at the same time, living at 1 Oubas Cottages. He must be older, since he got married in 1881.
